Active - No Way Out

Review by JaKia Gilbert

No Way Out by Active: A Retro House Odyssey You Didn’t Know You Needed Let’s cut to the chase. No Way Out by Active isn’t just an album—it’s a time machine that zaps you straight back to 1990, when Italo House was king, Euro House ruled the clubs, and Italodance made your feet move like they had minds of their own. Released under labels like Airplay Records (so many times it feels like Fred Ventura couldn’t decide where else to put his name), this gem is a wild ride through synths, beats, and vocals so smooth they could butter toast. First off, credit where it’s due: Fred Ventura doesn’t just wear one hat here—he wears ALL the hats. Producer? Check. Keyboard wizard? Yep. Backing vocals AND mix-master extraordinaire? Oh yeah. Nilla Backman brings the heat with lead vocals that hit like a velvet hammer, while Stefano Comazzi programs beats that feel like they’re alive. And let’s not forget Federico Di Bonaventura for penning tunes catchy enough to stick in your brain longer than last week’s leftovers. Now onto the tracks. With seven remixes of “No Way Out,” you’d think it might get repetitive—but nah, each version has its own vibe. The Original Edit stands out as a certified bop. It’s got that perfect blend of dreamy keys and a bassline that grooves harder than your uncle at a wedding disco. This track feels like cruising down the French Riviera in a convertible with the top down, wind messing up your hair, but who cares because life is GOOD. Then there’s the Club Mix, which takes things up about ten notches. If the Original Edit is chill vibes on a summer evening, this one is pure adrenaline-fueled chaos designed to make you lose yourself on the dance floor. It’s relentless, unapologetic, and kinda makes you wanna throw caution to the wind and attempt moves you KNOW you’ll regret tomorrow morning. What sticks with me most about these tracks—and honestly, the whole album—is how effortlessly fun it feels. There’s no pretense here; it’s just good music made by people who clearly loved what they were doing. Plus, can we talk about those sleeve graphics from Active Graphic? They scream '90s aesthetics—bold colors, abstract shapes, and fonts that look like they belong on a retro video game cover. At the end of the day, No Way Out reminds us that sometimes simplicity works best. Sure, it’s packed with remix after remix, but every version brings something fresh without overcomplicating things. Listening to this record feels like rediscovering an old VHS tape in your attic—familiar yet excitingly new all over again. So grab your neon leg warmers, crank up the volume, and let Fred Ventura & co. take you on a journey. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself humming “No Way Out” for days. Or weeks. Or possibly forever.

Artist: Active
Album: No Way Out

Electronic

1990

Rating: 5.0

Review
About Album
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Tracks
Video
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Catalog Numbers
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Listen online
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Notes
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About Artist
Interesting fact
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Related albums

Download

Filename: active-no-way-out.zip

MP3 size: 26.6 mb
FLAC size: 348.6 mb

Download

Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
No Way Out (Radio Active)	3:30
No Way Out (Radio Version)	3:55
No Way Out (Instrumental)	3:48
No Way Out (Re-Active Mix)	3:24
No Way Out (Club Mix)	4:30
No Way Out (Original Active Mix)	5:05
No Way Out (Original Edit)	5:10

Video

No Way Out - Active

Active - No Way Out (Original Edit)

ACTIVE - NO WAY OUT ( CLUB MIX )

Active - No Way Out(Original Active Mix)

Images

Catalog Numbers

14 938
95 094, 14 938
95 094
9163, 9 163
MIX 386

Labels

Carrere, Airplay Records
Carrere, Airplay Records, carrere
Airplay Records, Carrere
Discomagic Records

Listen online

ascolta in linea
lytte på nettet
kuunnella verkossa
escuchar en línea
online anhören
écouter en ligne
lyssna på nätet
online luisteren
ouvir online

Formats

Vinyl
7"
45 RPM
CD
Maxi-Single
Cardboard Sleeve
12"

Companies

Role	Company
Licensed From	Disco Magic S.r.l.
Phonographic Copyright (p)	Network Music Group
Copyright (c)	Lombardoni Edizioni Musicali
Pressed By	SNA
Printed By	SNA
Lacquer Cut At	Translab

Credits

Role	Credit
Producer	Fred Ventura
Band	Fred Ventura, Nilla Backman
Lead Vocals	Nilla Backman
Mixed By	Fred Ventura
Keyboards	Fred Ventura
Backing Vocals	Fred Ventura
Programmed By	Stefano Coma zzi
Sleeve	Active Graphic
Written-By	F.D.B. Ventura
Lyrics By	Federico Di Bonaventura
Music By	Federico Di Bonaventura
Vocals	Nilla Backman

Notes

add new item
℗ 1990 Network Music Group
© 1990 Lombardoni Pub./Network More Music
Licensed from Discomagic
Made In France - Imp. S.N.A
‘Ʈ’ etched on the runouts is a ‘TL’ joined, standing for Translab.

Barcodes

Rights Society: SACEM
Barcode: 3218030149386
Barcode: 3 218030 950944
Barcode: 3 218030 1493386
Barcode: 3218030091630
Matrix / Runout (Printed label side A): 9163/1
Matrix / Runout (Printed label side B): 9163/2
Matrix / Runout (Etched runout side A): [SNA stamped logo] Ʈ 9 163 /A
Matrix / Runout (Etched runout side B): [SNA stamped logo] Ʈ 9 163 B
Rights Society: SACEM SACD SDRM SGDL

About Active

Euro House project.

Members

Nilla Backman
Federico Di Bonaventura

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know that the 1990 album *No Way Out* by Active was a true team effort, with Fred Ventura wearing multiple hats? He wasn’t just the producer and keyboardist but also contributed backing vocals and handled the mixing. The album blended Italo House, Euro House, and Italodance styles, creating a unique sound that resonated across France and Italy. With seven different versions of the track "No Way Out," the album offered something for everyone—whether you were into radio-friendly tunes or club-ready remixes. And let’s not forget Nilla Backman, whose powerful lead vocals brought the whole project to life!